Kansas City Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

Find Relief. Embrace Recovery. Empowering You to Thrive.

Rachel Murdock

Therapist/Owner

Welcome to Beyond the Storm Behavioral Health, where we bring together exceptional mental health professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive, trauma-informed care. Our founder and clinical director, Rachel Murdock, leads our team with her extensive background working with first reponders and as a recognized expert in working with survivors of abuse and trauma.

Her distinguished expertise at both state and federal levels, particularly in disclosure processes, forensic interviewing, and trauma’s impact within the justice system, has shaped our practice’s specialized approach to trauma treatment.

Our team of skilled therapists offers a depth of experience in treating various mental health challenges. Under Rachel’s leadership, we provide evidence-based treatment for:

Trauma recovery and PTSD/PTSI
Anxiety and depression
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Perinatal mental health
First responder mental health support
Life transitions and adjustment challenges

Rachel’s dedication to education, demonstrated through her presentations at state, national, and international training events, ensures our entire clinical team stays current with the latest therapeutic approaches. Her expertise in areas informs our practice’s comprehensive treatment methods.

Our therapists are carefully selected for their expertise and commitment to trauma-informed care. Each brings specialized training in evidence-based mental health counseling, offering clients practical tools and strategies to manage symptoms, build resilience, and work toward lasting recovery.

At Beyond the Storm Behavioral Health, we pride ourselves on creating an environment where every client feels safe, supported, and understood. Whether you’re a trauma survivor, a first responder processing difficult experiences, or someone navigating anxiety, depression or OCD, our team provides the compassionate, judgment-free space you need to explore your experiences and embark on your healing journey.

Therapeutic Modalities and Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT)

Trauma and anxiety leaves you with extremely negative beliefs about yourself, others, and the world. Through CBT we’ll be able to identify, assess, and modify negative perceptions and actions that make you experience unnecessary distress.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

EMDR therapy will help desensitize trauma memories by having you recall your experience(s). As you focus on the memories and thoughts associated with them, you’ll be assisted in reprocessing, using bilateral stimulation, to help the experiences lose their emotional charge.

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy

As an individual with anxiety/OCD, ERP therapy is designed to gradually expose you to situations designed to provoke your obsessions in a safe environment, and can free you from the cycle of obsession and compulsion. It also provides you with coping skills for when a triggering situation presents itself.

Expert Testimony

As a qualified expert for the U.S. government, Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge and credibility to cases requiring specialized psychological insight. Her testimony is grounded in current research, extensive field experience, and a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding crimes against children.

Trauma-Focused Therapy

Through trauma-focused therapies, we work with you to help you understand how the traumatic experience impacts your mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. We offer skills and strategies to assist you in coping with and processing the memories.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a powerful, skills-based approach that helps you navigate life's challenges with greater ease and confidence. Developed to treat complex emotional issues, DBT equips you with practical tools to manage intense emotions, improve relationships and decrease symptoms.

Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is a journey of growth and understanding for partners who want to strengthen their relationship or who are navigating next steps. In a supportive and non-judgmental environment, you'll work with one of our therapists to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and deepen your connection. Whether you're facing specific issues like trust concerns, intimacy problems, or recurring conflicts, or simply wanting to enrich an already good relationship, couples therapy provides valuable tools and insights.

First Responder Wellness Checks

Beyond the Storm Behavioral Health can partner with your agency to provide these services to your department. Some of our clinicians have backgrounds with the FBI and EMS or have family members part of the first responder family, so we possess the cultural competence to work alongside first responder populations.

Our Approach

We are dedicated to creating a safe haven, where you feel supported and understood without judgment. Here, you’re encouraged to delve into your emotions, gaining insights into your personal journey, and untangling the complexities that hinder your progress. We’ll work together to cultivate resilience, equipping you with effective coping mechanisms tailored to your needs. This collaborative effort empowers you to navigate the path to lasting recovery, fostering hope, healing, and a renewed sense of well-being.

Our commitment extends beyond simply addressing your immediate needs. We aspire to empower you with the tools and strategies to manage future challenges, enabling you to build a fulfilling life rooted in lasting recovery.

Our approach to treatment is rooted in evidence-based practices, drawing from a diverse range of therapeutic modalities. We utilize proven techniques such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is employed to address obsessive-compulsive behaviors, while Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) equips individuals with skills to manage intense emotions and improve interpersonal relationships. We also recognize the importance of Attachment-Based Therapies to heal early relational wounds, and Choice Therapy to empower individuals to take ownership of their decisions and create meaningful change.

This comprehensive and personalized approach allows us to tailor treatment plans to each individual’s unique needs and goals, fostering a path towards healing and growth.

Providing therapy services in the neighborhoods of:

Downtown Kansas City

39th Street
Country Club Plaza
Crossroads Arts District
Hyde Park
Kansas City, Missouri
Pendleton Heights
River Market
Union Hill
West Plaza

Northeast

Blue Springs
Briarcliff
Cameron
Excelsior Springs
Gladstone
Independence
Liberty
Maryville
North Kansas City
Smithville

Southeast

Belton
Blue Springs
Brookside
Grain Valley
Grandview
Harrisonville
Lake Lotawana
Lee’s Summit
Lone Jack
Oak Grove
Pleasant Hill
Raymore
Raytown

Northwest

Atchison, Kansas
Historic Westheight
Kansas City, KS
Lansing
Leavenworth
Parkville
Riverside
St. Joseph
Weston

Southwest

Bonner Springs
DeSoto
Emporia
Fairway
Gardner
Hallbrook
Kansas City, KS
Lake Quivira
Lawrence
Leawood
Lenexa
Louisburg
Manhattan

Southwest

Mission Hills
Mission Woods
Olathe
Ottawa
Overland Park
Paola
Prairiefire
Prairie Village
Park Place
Shawnee
Spring Hill
Topeka

It’s important to find a therapist who is ethical and competent.

We believe that all experiences are valid and deserving of attention and respect. We don’t invalidate your experiences and are sensitive to potential triggers that could be activating.

Our therapeutic environment is thoughtfully curated to be a safe space, where you feel comfortable expressing yourself without fear of invalidation or triggering past traumas. We prioritize your emotional well-being and actively work to foster an atmosphere of trust, understanding, and mutual respect.

You’ll get a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

We understand that every individual’s journey to healing is unique, shaped by their personal experiences, cultural background, and specific needs. That’s why we adopt a highly individualized and culturally sensitive approach to treatment. We recognize the profound influence culture can have on one’s understanding of mental health and the healing process.

Our team is dedicated to fostering a space where you feel understood and respected, ensuring that your cultural values and beliefs are acknowledged and integrated into your treatment plan. We draw from a diverse range of evidence-based techniques and interventions, carefully selecting those that best align with your unique needs and circumstances. This personalized approach empowers you to actively participate in your recovery journey, ensuring that you receive the most effective and meaningful care possible.

Contact Us

You don’t have to continue feeling broken, and you don’t have to do it alone.